They claim the Catalan club are favourites for the Arsenal defender, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger reportedly keen to sell him abroad rather than to a domestic rival.

United are in need of one if not two new defenders this summer, and Vermaelen’s versatility marks him out as a quality potential recruit. But with Barcelona also on the look-out for the same type of player, it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

In other news, the Sunday Times reports that while United are confident they can beat Paris Saint-Germain to the signing of Angel Di Maria – who is reportedly valued at £45million – another suitor has entered the race, in the form of Bayern Munich.

The German giants are said to be interested in a player who is heavily linked with the Bernabeu exit this summer. But it remains to be seen where Pep Guardiola would use the Argentine international given the quality (in depth) already at his disposal.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.